DPC announces first Photowalk to Sunder Nursery
Sundar Nursery’s Central Axis with the 16th century Sundar Burj in the backdrop, New Delhi, India.
Sunder Nursery is bestowed with the first arboretum (botanical garden of trees), a bonsai house, and is home to 80 species of birds, 36 butterfly species and 280 native trees. Delhiites now have a new heritage park that is as good as the popular Lodhi Garden. The nursery came up during the British rule and in 1950 a renowned botanist whose name is unknown gifted a bonsai collection to the nursery.
A walk through the massive heritage garden — dotted with flower beds, raised sandstone pathways and marble fountains — takes one to the six monuments that were given World Heritage designation by UNESCO in 2016
The Lakkarwala Burj, Sunder Burj, Sunderwala Mahal, Mirza Muzaffar Hussain’s Tomb, Chitra Batashewala and an unknown Mughal Tomb fall under this category. Although, little is know about who built them.
Designed by landscape architect Late M Shaheer, Sunder Nursery has a 550m ornamental central vista that starts from the entrance zone of Humayun’s Tomb. An official said the landscape master plan derived inspiration from “traditional Indian concept of congruency between nature, garden and utility coupled with environmental conservation” for a truly urban scale work.
The gardens along the central vista, inspired by Mughal traditions, have lotus-shaped marble fountains. Water flows through geometric flowerbeds and raised sandstone pathways. A lake on the northern edge of the central vista will have walkways, seats and pavilions along the edges. An amphitheatre has also been built for cultural events. The lake would collect rainwater and also serve as a reservoir for emergency use.
Officials said the nursery has over 300 tree species, some not found elsewhere in Delhi. Over 80 bird species have also been recorded. As an added attraction for children, an educational resource on Delhi’s ecology has also been set up for the 5,00,000 schoolchildren who visit the adjoining Humayun’s Tomb annually. This 20-acre micro-habitat zone showcases plants of the Ridge, and the riverine, marshy landscapes that were once found in Delhi.
The heritage aspect is striking too. There are 15 Mughal monuments within the nursery, some under ASI and some unprotected. These have been conserved by AKTC over the years. In 2016, Unesco extended the world heritage designation to 12 monuments.
Hues of Lodhi Garden : Photowalk by Delhi Photography Club
During this season Lodhi garden offer beautiful colors of flowers and Nature .
Enjoy the amazing blue sky of Delhi this Feb
During British Raj, it was landscaped by Lady Willingdon, wife of Governor-General of India, Marquess of Willingdon, and hence named the ‘Lady Willingdon Park’ upon its inauguration on April 9, 1936, and 1947, after Independence, it was given its present name, Lodi Gardens.
As there is little architecture from these two periods remaining in India, Lodi Gardens is an important place of preservation. The tomb of Mohammed Shah is visible from the road, and is the earliest structure in the gardens. The architecture is characterised by the octagonal chamber, with stone chhajjas on the roof and guldastas on the corners.
The tomb of Mohammed Shah, the last of the Sayyid dynasty rulers, the earliest of the tombs in the garden, was built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah as a tribute to Mohammed Shah.
After the 15th century Sayyid and Lodi dynasties, two villages grew around the monuments, but the villagers were relocated in 1936 in order to create the gardens.
Another tomb within the gardens is that of Sikander Lodi, which is similar to Mohammed Shah’s tomb, though without the chhatris, it was built by his son Ibrahim Lodi in 1517, the last of Sultan of Delhi from Lodi dynasty, as he was defeated by Babur.
It is a simple rectangular structure on a high platform approached by a flight of steps. The tomb was renovated by the British, and an inscription mentioning Ibrahim Lodi’s defeat at the hands of Babur and the renovation was included in 1866.
Note:Closest Metro Station : Jor Bagh
Please Note : if you register and confirm that you will be attending and do not turn up, you have denied someone as enthusiastic as you, a chance of the walk. Therefore, please register and confirm only if you are reasonably certain to make it on the day 🙂
DPC Announces Photo Bus to Kila Raipur (Rural Olympics)
Each year in February , Ludhiana becomes the destination for hundreds of sports enthusiasts, including foreigners flocking Kila Raipur to see the special breed of bullocks, camels, dogs, mules and other animals competing in highly professional events.
In 1946, Mr. Bakhsish Singh was instrumental in getting the most popular event of the Games – the Bullock Cart Race – introduced and in later years many more added.
It is to be seen to be believed, so here is the detailed itinerary of Kila Raipur.
Date of Journey: 2nd Feb, Friday
Timings: At 10.00 pm leave Delhi for Ludhiana(pls be there 15mins prior to departure)
Meeting Place is at SDA Market opposite IIT Delhi.
Day I- 3rd Feb
Saturday: Reach Ludhiana at around 7 am to 8 am (depending on fog).
Post Lunch: Again to Olympics site and capture all that it has to offer in the most mesmerizing sporting events.
Day II- 4th Feb
Sunday: Early Morning rush to the Olympics site according to the calendar of activities and activities of interest
Departure: Leave for Delhi at 6.00 pm and reach Delhi by mid-night.
Other Important Details:
Stay: will be on twin sharing basis at Hotel
Mode of travel: We will be travelling in an AC TEMPO traveller together.
What Gear to carry?
Can tag your camera, tripod, wide angle lenses and zoom lenses (depending on what your interest is). Comfortable shoes, shades and sunscreen, sweaters, batteries and memory card etc. And needless to say – enthusiasm in abundance!
Meal: Simple vegetarian meals will be provided by the club
The group will follow the itinerary mentioned above, however if one wants to visit places at one owns will, can visit accordingly on their own.
Expenses covered: Group transfers, Food, boarding and lodging
Fee: Rs. 7500 per person (Includes travel, food, lodging and entry tickets. Does not include tickets for camera and equipment if any)
For DPC members, the fee is Rs.6500 per person.
Please carry the rest of the amount with you (only cash) 🙂 You can also pay the remaining amount at our club in Shahpur Jat Village.
Please note:
1. Registration fee is refundable if one drops out 7 days prior to this trip but transferable due to advance payment on accommodation reservations.
2. Registration fee is non-refundable as well as non-transferable, if one drops-out 3 days prior to this trip.
3. In case the registration payment is not received, if you are not coming for the trip, please let us know as soon as possible because other photography enthusiasts will be getting the opportunity to go on this trip.
For clarifications and/or communication, please contact Virendra Singh 08826712162.
